PHNOM PENH, Feb 28, 2012 (AFP) - A Russian woman was killed and dozens of foreign tourists were injured when their bus swerved and flipped onto its side after its front tyre burst in Cambodia on Tuesday, police said.

The vehicle crashed as it took 46 passengers, including 40 foreign tourists, from Cambodia's popular seaside port of Sihanoukville to the Thai border, according to Ouk Sopha, head of traffic police in western Koh Kong province.

“All passengers were injured, including many Western tourists. A 23-year-old Russian girl died after being admitted to hospital,” he told AFP by telephone.The driver, who police believe was driving at high speed before the crash, fled the scene.Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in Cambodia, killing more than 1,600 people in 2010.Better roads -- allowing people to go faster -- and more vehicles contribute heavily to this bloody toll, but bad driving is the main cause behind most accidents, police say.